The Grave Creek-Trout Creek Fire
On the morning of July 11, 1910, Forest Ranger H.P. Barringer and Assistant Ranger James S. Garrison spotted a fire on the east side of Grave Creek, Lolo National Forest. Later that afternoon the men discovered a second, smaller fire on the west side of the creek. These two fires would eventually join with thousands of others across the region in what Barringer described as a "racing cloud of flame."
Report of the Grave Creek-Trout Creek Fire on the Clearwater and Lolo National Forests
From the Report of Forest Ranger H.P. Barringer and Assistant Ranger James S. Garrison:
"The next morning at 3:30am another attempt was made to check the fire, but by 2pm (on July 12, 1910) the rising wind blew the fire over the line faster than it could be covered."
Overworked and understaffed Barringer and Garrison headed down the creek. Barringer set off for supplies and Garrison to see about hiring men from the nearby mining camps.